Illini Women's Basketball Allegations

#251      

IlliniSavage12

I
Guest
IlliniSavage12
Konnie said:
On this Saturday's WDWS Sports Talk most of the first hour of the show was taking with the plaintiffs' attorney and a local attorney about the lawsuit. Here is a link to the podcast:

http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/podcast/saturday-sportstalk.html
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One interesting thing pointed out in that interview, the lawsuit is for 10 million for each player. I'd always heard it was 10 million total. So it's actually 70 million total, 80 million if the extra player gets added.
 
#252      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
IlliniSavage12 said:
One interesting thing pointed out in that interview, the lawsuit is for 10 million for each player. I'd always heard it was 10 million total. So it's actually 70 million total, 80 million if the extra player gets added.
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Yes and that relates to compensatory and punitive damages IIRC. To a layman, this appears to be a ridiculous amount, but that may be the norm. I think the jury would still have to decide compensation. Perhaps an attorney here can weigh in.
 
#253      

IlliniSavage12

I
Guest
IlliniSavage12
illinicb said:
Yes and that relates to compensatory and punitive damages IIRC. To a layman, this appears to be a ridiculous amount, but that may be the norm. I think the jury would still have to decide compensation. Perhaps an attorney here can weigh in.
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I think the attorney said that the jury would decide on the amount, but that would be subject to review by the judge presiding over the case to make sure it's fair.

I still think this thing is a money grab and it's going to get tossed. The prosecutor they had on WDWS didn't give any insight to solidify there being any teeth to this thing whatsoever. Most of its speculative and it's going to be nearly impossible to prove that the environment they are insinuating existed actually did.
 
#255      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
Stevegarbs said:
Second in the 2-part series. Behind the paywall.

Assistant coach in Illini women's suit gets results - at a cost, critics say
http://trib.in/1I6RrZV
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I liked this article because I knew nothing of the guy or his background which I assume is true for most of us regarding a WBB assistant coach.

Revealing in the sense that UIUC did the standard background checks and let the Head Coach bring in who he wanted. I can't fault MT for that, however whenever I have done hiring for a significant position, I reach out to people that might know something about the person and get unofficial feedback. This is done in "code" where people involved know what is being said. I wouldn't expect MT to do that with an assistant, but if he was part of Bollant's staff, I would expect it to come up if there was any substance to it.

If Dibilviss is the loose cannon as has been portrayed, then he likely was the same during his tenure at UWGB and Bollant tolerated/encouraged the behavior.
 
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#256      

IlliniByProxy

IlliniByProxy
St. Joseph, IL
IlliniByProxy
illinicb said:
I liked this article because I knew nothing of the guy or his background which I assume is true for most of us regarding a WBB assistant coach.

Revealing in the sense that UIUC did the standard background checks and let the Head Coach bring in who he wanted. I can't fault MT for that, however whenever I have done hiring for a significant position, I reach out to people that might know something about the person and get unofficial feedback. This is done in "code" where people involved know what is being said. I wouldn't expect MT to do that with an assistant, but if he was part of Bollant's staff, I would expect it to come up if there was any substance to it.

If Dibilviss is the loose cannon as has been portrayed, then he likely was the same during his tenure at UWGB and Bollant tolerated/encouraged the behavior.
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His players reference that he was a different person when the team started losing. Maybe he never was a loose cannon with Bollant because they were winning at UWGB. Maybe, when they didn't have immediate success here Coach D couldn't handle it and took it out on the players. It's that old adage, how does it go.....winning cures everything....yeah I think that's it.
 
#257      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
IlliniByProxy said:
His players reference that he was a different person when the team started losing. Maybe he never was a loose cannon with Bollant because they were winning at UWGB. Maybe, when they didn't have immediate success here Coach D couldn't handle it and took it out on the players. It's that old adage, how does it go.....winning cures everything....yeah I think that's it.
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Good point, which I didn't really pick up on. As a coach though, you have to be able to deal with winning and losing (happy to state the obvious). You may coach differently when things aren't going well, but you can't become "abusive" when the winning stops. If true, Bollant has to be held accountable for it. It is his program and he has to control his coaches.
 
#258      

IlliniByProxy

IlliniByProxy
St. Joseph, IL
IlliniByProxy
illinicb said:
Good point, which I didn't really pick up on. As a coach though, you have to be able to deal with winning and losing (happy to state the obvious). You may coach differently when things aren't going well, but you can't become "abusive" when the winning stops. If true, Bollant has to be held accountable for it. It is his program and he has to control his coaches.
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That, I completely agree with. I was more referencing how his past could have been easily overlooked during the hiring process. At any rate, it sounds like the guy is a head case when things don't go his way. Two dozen transfers at Idaho. That is an astonishing number.

Looking at this info through the lens of the court case. I'm not sure that any of this info helps their case. In fact most of the comments speak to the opposite of the racial component of the case. Multiple players and parents referencing that he was over the top, but not racist, that he had a "dog pound" back then as well and it had nothing to do with race. I think these girls have an uphill climb regardless of the validity of their claims.
 
#259      

LurkLongandProsper

L
C-U
LurkLongandProsper
https://illinois.edu/blog/view/1109
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I write to share the results of the independent investigation conducted by the firm of Pugh, Jones & Johnson into recent allegations of racism and abusive behavior within our women’s basketball program.

This investigation has concluded that these allegations are not supported by the information available. The review was extensive, far-reaching and careful – including examination of more than 18,000 documents, 33 interviews, the statements of eight former players, and review of game and practice video footage. A version of the final report (redacted only to protect private information of students and those not employed by the university) has been posted here.

The report does recommend actions for clarifying expectations regarding coaches' conduct, better defining the coach-parent relationship and enhancing resources for student-athletes to report concerns or complaints about their experience at Illinois. We will begin implementing these recommendations immediately.

These actions include implementing a formal coaches' code of conduct, improving processes for student-athletes to report concerns and complaints, and a policy establishing clearer lines for appropriate interaction between coaches and parents or others who act on behalf of student-athletes.

Going forward, we will ensure that our coaches and staff members have a clearer understanding of our core values and expectations, and that our student-athletes never ever feel they have nowhere to go when they have concerns.

Our first priority – in and out of the athletic department – is the health and well-being of our students. We can never have too many ways to help connect them with support.

This has been a challenging time for all of our student athletes, the staff of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and for all of us at Illinois. Allegations of this kind are troubling because they do not match our values and they do not align with the vision of this university we all share.

And that is why, when they surfaced, Athletic Director Mike Thomas immediately notified me and asked that the campus conduct this independent investigation.

Student-athletes are a part of our Illinois family and we want to ensure that their experience is fulfilling, and that they are able to work toward an Illinois degree, preparing them for lives of leadership and impact.

A separate evaluation of concerns related to the football program and sports medicine aspects of the women’s basketball program is ongoing and I will be sharing that report with you when I have it.

Sincerely,

Phyllis M. Wise
Chancellor
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#260      

filthytacos

filthytacos
filthytacos
I just received this in an email from Phyllis Wise:

Third Party Report

The body of the email is as follows:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I write to share the results of the independent investigation conducted by the firm of Pugh, Jones & Johnson into recent allegations of racism and abusive behavior within our women’s basketball program.

This investigation has concluded that these allegations are not supported by the information available. The review was extensive, far-reaching and careful – including examination of more than 18,000 documents, 33 interviews, the statements of eight former players, and review of game and practice video footage. A version of the final report (redacted only to protect private information of students and those not employed by the university) has been posted here.

The report does recommend actions for clarifying expectations regarding coaches' conduct, better defining the coach-parent relationship and enhancing resources for student-athletes to report concerns or complaints about their experience at Illinois. We will begin implementing these recommendations immediately.

These actions include implementing a formal coaches' code of conduct, improving processes for student-athletes to report concerns and complaints, and a policy establishing clearer lines for appropriate interaction between coaches and parents or others who act on behalf of student-athletes.

Going forward, we will ensure that our coaches and staff members have a clearer understanding of our core values and expectations, and that our student-athletes never ever feel they have nowhere to go when they have concerns.

Our first priority – in and out of the athletic department – is the health and well-being of our students. We can never have too many ways to help connect them with support.

This has been a challenging time for all of our student athletes, the staff of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and for all of us at Illinois. Allegations of this kind are troubling because they do not match our values and they do not align with the vision of this university we all share.

And that is why, when they surfaced, Athletic Director Mike Thomas immediately notified me and asked that the campus conduct this independent investigation.

Student-athletes are a part of our Illinois family and we want to ensure that their experience is fulfilling, and that they are able to work toward an Illinois degree, preparing them for lives of leadership and impact.

A separate evaluation of concerns related to the football program and sports medicine aspects of the women’s basketball program is ongoing and I will be sharing that report with you when I have it.

Sincerely,

Phyllis M. Wise
Chancellor
 
#261      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
So I wonder what impact this has on the lawsuit. Interesting that the email references "statements of eight former players" which I interpret as they didn't get any actual interviews with the students, which may be the best thing for their lawsuit, but makes their position less credible if you are unwilling to talk about it. Saying all this without reading the report yet.
 
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#262      

RedLeader

R
RedLeader
illinicb said:
So I wonder what impact this has on the lawsuit. Interesting that the email references "statements of eight former players" which I interpret as they didn't get any actual interviews with the students, which may be the best thing for their lawsuit, but makes their position less credible if you are unwilling to talk about it. Saying all this without reading the report yet.
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The report states that they sought interviews but the players denied.
 
#264      

LurkLongandProsper

L
C-U
LurkLongandProsper
RedLeader said:
The report states that they sought interviews but the players denied.
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Really interesting. I understand in the context of the lawsuit, but if you've recruited every player who shares this sentiment, why not send them a prepared statement reviewed by your counsel to have your side represented?

Second and Chalmers said:
A piecemeal approach is.....interesting.
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Read: disappointing. I get more anxious about the football results every day as we continue to get nearer to the season. I thought this email would be about football for sure.
 
#265      

IlliniWood

I
IlliniWood
LurkLongandProsper said:
Read: disappointing. I get more anxious about the football results every day as we continue to get nearer to the season. I thought this email would be about football for sure.
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I am more worried about the women's basketball issues because it has blown up into a civil rights lawsuit. Could be big issues with that depending on what is alleged/found. The football allegations are basically a couple of guys complaining that Beckman is a jerk.
 
#266      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
Second and Chalmers said:
A piecemeal approach is.....interesting.
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Interesting, but not sure it is meaningful. That may be proved wrong once the report is out. It also makes sense given the totally separate nature of the specific allegations other than whatever commonality is found at the DIA level. I suspect the WBB report was issued first because of the lawsuit involved.
 
#267      

filthytacos

filthytacos
filthytacos
LurkLongandProsper said:
Read: disappointing. I get more anxious about the football results every day as we continue to get nearer to the season. I thought this email would be about football for sure.
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I would imagine it is much harder to release an investigative report, or even conduct an investigation focused around personal medical records and the laws that protect privacy. I am not a lawyer though so who knows.
 
#269      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
IlliniWood said:
I am more worried about the women's basketball issues because it has blown up into a civil rights lawsuit. Could be big issues with that depending on what is alleged/found. The football allegations are basically a couple of guys complaining that Beckman is a jerk.
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Well, the two investigations to date do not support any allegations of racism. Possible that something could come out of a lawsuit, but not sure you'll see anything else unless other allegations surface later.

I will defer to any attorneys here, but I would think this report will expedite a settlement if that is what either side is looking for. I'm sure the plaintiffs will characterize the report as a whitewash (no pun intended) since it was paid for by UIUC.
 
#270      

IlliniWood

I
IlliniWood
illinicb said:
Well, the two investigations to date do not support any allegations of racism. Possible that something could come out of a lawsuit, but not sure you'll see anything else unless other allegations surface later.

I will defer to any attorneys here, but I would think this report will expedite a settlement if that is what either side is looking for. I'm sure the plaintiffs will characterize the report as a whitewash (no pun intended) since it was paid for by UIUC.
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I agree. I'm still wondering what will happen if the lawsuit isn't dismissed. I'm sure at that point the university would settle just to avoid potential damages that could arise. Even though settlements rarely mean anything regarding the validity of the allegations, the court of public opinion will definitely find it as an admission of guilt.
 
#271      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
IlliniWood said:
I agree. I'm still wondering what will happen if the lawsuit isn't dismissed. I'm sure at that point the university would settle just to avoid potential damages that could arise. Even though settlements rarely mean anything regarding the validity of the allegations, the court of public opinion will definitely find it as an admission of guilt.
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Yeah, without knowing the particulars, in most lawsuits, it would likely be best to settle and out it behind you. The downside as you point out is the perception a settlement leaves. OTOH, the one attorney for the plaintiffs has stated they are looking for $$$, so any settlement would not be reached without that. I suspect a LOT less that $10M per player, but something.

I think unless more comes out, the University can settle and come out of this without being perceived as "guilty" in the court of public opinion.
 
#272      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
An email to I-Fund donors went out from Mike Thomas this morning. In essence just forwarding the chancellor's email.
 
#273      

IlliniSavage12

I
Guest
IlliniSavage12
The lawsuit is going to get tossed. I'd bet money on it.

I'm sure the plaintiffs are hoping for an early settlement because the school wants to avoid further bad press. They aren't going to get it.

It was ridiculous that it was ever filed in the first place.
 
#275      

IlliniSavage12

I
Guest
IlliniSavage12
illinicb said:
Based on?
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Based on the fact that it's entirely conjecture and has no teeth whatsoever.

Every lawyer I've heard talk about it, minus the guys who filed it, have basically said it should get dismissed.

It's a money grab, plain and simple. It's sad that it has damaged the reputation of the university. I'd love to see a counter-suit filed, but I doubt they'd go that far.